Cucumber Water Recipe Recipe For Eggplant

CUCUMBER WATER

Steps:

• Combine water, tangerine slices, cucumber slices, and thyme sprigs in a 32-ounce mason jar or pitcher. Stir gently.
• Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

SPICY STIR-FRIED JAPANESE EGGPLANT AND CUCUMBER

Steps:

• Trim off the calyx end of the eggplants. Cut in half lengthwise, then slice thin (about 1/4 inch). Lightly salt, and toss in a colander. Allow to sit for 15 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients. Squeeze out excess water, then dry between sheets of paper towel.
• Meanwhile, trim off the ends of the cucumbers. Cut in half lengthwise, then slice on the diagonal into 1/4-inch thick slices.
• Combine the rice vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, salt and sesame oil in a small bowl. Place all of the ingredients near your wok or frying pan.
• Heat a 14-inch flat-bottomed wok or 12-inch steel skillet over high heat until a drop of water evaporates within a second or two from the surface of the pan. Add the peanut or canola oil to the sides of the pan and tilt the pan to distribute. Add the eggplant. Stir-fry for three to four minutes until cooked through. Add the ginger and red pepper flakes, and stir-fry for 30 seconds. Add the cucumbers and scallions or chives. Stir-fry 30 seconds. Add the soy sauce mixture to the wok, and stir-fry one minute until the cucumber just begins to wilt. Remove from the heat and serve.

CUCUMBER-INFUSED WATER

Steps:

• Place 1 thinly sliced English cucumber in a pitcher. For still infused water, add 2 quarts of water. For sparkling water, add 1 quart of seltzer during prep and a second quart just before serving. Refrigerate 2 to 4 hours to allow the cucumber to infuse. Stir well and strain, discarding the cucumber. For serving, add fresh cucumber slices for garnish and plenty of ice. The infused water will keep refrigerated for up to 2 days.

GRILLED BRINED SALMON AND EGGPLANT WITH FENNEL CUCUMBER RELISH

Steps:

• Bring water, brown sugar, salt, and 6 tablespoons granulated sugar to a boil in a 5-quart pot, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Transfer 6 cups brine to a 13- by 9-inch glass or ceramic baking dish, then stir in dill and cool. Transfer remaining 4 cups brine to a large bowl and add remaining 4 tablespoons granulated sugar, stirring until dissolved, then cool completely.
• Marinate salmon, skin sides up, in brine in baking dish, chilled, 1 hour. (Do not turn salmon.) Put eggplant in brine in bowl, then invert a small plate over eggplant and weight it with soup can (to keep eggplant immersed). Marinate eggplant at room temperature 30 minutes. (Do not brine salmon or eggplant longer than indicated or they will be too salty.)
• Prepare charcoal or gas grill for cooking.
• Remove salmon from brine and pat dry, discarding brine. Remove eggplant from brine, then rinse and pat dry, discarding brine. Toss eggplant with oil and pepper to taste in a bowl.
• When fire is moderate (you can hold your hand 5 inches above rack for 3 to 4 seconds), grill eggplant on lightly oiled grill rack, turning once, until golden, about 4 minutes total. Transfer to a platter with tongs and keep warm, covered.
• When fire is moderately low (you can hold your hand 5 inches above rack for 5 to 6 seconds), grill salmon, starting with skin sides up and turning once, until just cooked through and skin is crisp, about 8 minutes total.
• Serve salmon over eggplant.

CUCUMBER BLOSSOM FRITTER WITH EGGPLANT AND TAHINI DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl combine the four tablespoons of flour with the two egg yolks and the beer whisking them into a smooth batter; season with salt and pepper. Whisk the egg whites in a mixing bowl to firm peaks, then fold into the beer batter. Dust each cucumber blossom with flour, then dip into the batter and deep-fry until golden brown and crisp.
• Serve the dipping sauce at room temperature with freshly fried cucumber blossom.
• In non-stick pan over low heat, pour one tablespoon of olive oil. Add the crushed garlic, and when the garlic is lightly browned, add the diced eggplant and cover. Toss the eggplant gently, cooking all sides. When the eggplant is cooked through, place them into the food processor and puree with tahini paste, lemon juice, curry powder, cucumber juice and the remaining olive oil. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.;

SPICY STIR-FRIED EGGPLANT AND CUCUMBER

Steps:

• 1. Trim off the calyx end of the eggplants. Cut in half lengthwise, then slice thin (about 1/4 inch). Lightly salt, and toss in a colander. Allow to sit for 15 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients. Squeeze out excess water, then dry between sheets of paper towel. 2. Meanwhile, trim off the ends of the cucumbers. Cut in half lengthwise, then slice on the diagonal into 1/4-inch thick slices. 3. Combine the rice vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, salt and sesame oil in a small bowl. Place all of the ingredients near your wok or frying pan. 4. Heat a 14-inch flat-bottomed wok or 12-inch steel skillet over high heat until a drop of water evaporates within a second or two from the surface of the pan. Add the peanut or canola oil to the sides of the pan and tilt the pan to distribute. Add the eggplant. Stir-fry for three to four minutes until cooked through. Add the ginger and red pepper flakes, and stir-fry for 30 seconds. Add the cucumbers and scallions or chives. Stir-fry 30 seconds. Add the soy sauce mixture to the wok, and stir-fry one minute until the cucumber just begins to wilt. Remove from the heat and serve.